Dropper insert



United States Patent 3,323,6h. Dlllsllll loseph illustri, Bahnhofstrasse 2, diel, Switzerland Get. ld, i965, No. 495,837 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Apr. 26, i965', shaft/ss 9 Claims. (Cl. Z22-42D The present invention has reference to an improved dropper insert device capable of being tted onto the neck portion of containers, iiasks, receptacles, vessels, bottles or the like-hereinafter conveniently referred to simply as receptacles It is known to the art to use dropper inserts which can be mounted at the neck of a receptacle in order to be able to remove liquid therefrom, eg. medicine, in drops, i.e. drop Kby drop. Such dropper inserts are already known in various constructions. l-iozwever, they all possess the disadvantage that, depending upon the degree of filling of the receptable, they exhibit an irregular droplet dispensing rhythm.

Now there are principally -two types of dropper inserts. Firstly, those with separated airand discharge openings, with airand discharge tubes, or rwith airtnbe in the middle and lateral discharge openings. ln such case, the discharge opening can only be made quite small. Secondly, there are those with only one opening, the larger portion thereof fonming the air opening and directly therebeneath at the smaller `portion there is provided the discharge trough or run-off gutter.

For the drip-ott location, i.e. the location `where the drops fall of, =both types of dropper inserts possess at least one hollow cylinder rim or edge. However, upon such edge or rim there can only talle place a iiat, wide and non-uniform droplet formation, since -at such type hollow cylinder edge, which must simultaneously serve as the sealing member for a screw cap, it is not possible to provide any lateral guides for a dosage-sure droplet formation.

Since, during the dripping operation at a dropper insert, liquid also flows out of the larger air-tube or the larger air opening in the hollow cylinder, the condition results that this liquid increasingly discharges non-uniformly at the rim or edge of the hollow cylinder.

In spite of these disadvantages, there is still preferred the arrangement of dripping locations at a radial hollow cylinder edge, lmoreover notwithstanding that no lateral guide ledges can Abe formed at the hollow cylinder edge. There is further to be mentioned that the small discharge or outlet openings are subject to the danger of clogging.

With dropper inserts possessing a discharge trough and a directly superimposed larger air opening there occurs, depending upon the degree of tilting of the recep tacle, a change in the dripping rhythm due to the more or less liquid-filled air opening. Physical structures are known to the art in which the discharge trough opens directly into a dropper rod or directly at the lateral hollow cylinder edge. Furthermore, the known dropper inserts do not possess any quick-return llow possibility, so that liquid collected in the hollow cylinder must lirst be spilled out prior to dripping, or at least must `be dripped Very irregularly.

Furthermore, all of the known dropper inserts do not possess the advantage of enabling a quick dispensing of the contents of the receptacle or receiver.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the Ipresent invcntion to provide an improved dropper insert which is relatively simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and provides for an exact and uniform dosing of the drops dispensed from a receptacle or otherwise with which the dropper insert is used.

A further important object of this invention is directed to the provision of an improved dropper insert for effectively removing liquids from an `associated receptacle and which ensures for a regular dripping rhythm.

Still a further considerable object of this invention is directed to an improved dropper insert which is capable o-f dispensing liquid in uniform manner, with regularity in the rhythm of the drops.

Another very important object of this invention is directed to an improved construction of dropper insert which provides for unifonmity in the drip rhythm of the droplets dispensed out of a receptacle with which the dropper insert is used, and ywhich completely prevents the possibility of clogging the discharge openings, enables rapid emptying of the contents of the associated receptacle, and allows any liquid which has entered the dropper insert and which has not been dispensed to quickly liow `back into the receptacle.

lt should thus `be appreciated that the subject matter of this invention is basically concerned with a dropper insert which enables accurate quantitative dosing practically from the lirst to the last drop until the receptacle is emptied and -while maintaining a uniform dripping rhythm; further, wherein clogging of the discharge opening is completely prevented, `where liquid which has entered the dropper insert, upon upright positioning of the receptacle, can again quickly flow back, and lwhich also renders `possible a quick dispensing of the contents of the receptacle.

The dropper insert of the present invention is generally characterized by the features of a substantially cylindrical body member or portion which can be inserted in the neck of a container. This cylindrical body member is provided with a floor portion which possesses a substantially slitshaped opening, along one lengthwise edge of which there is provided a projecting portion having discharge channel means, and at the other lengthwise edge there is provided a discharge trough extendinU from the slit-shaped opening towards the outside.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, axial sectional view of a dropper insert device designed according to the teachings of the present invention and inserted in the neck or throat of a container;

FIGURE 2` is a top plan view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE l with removed closure cap;

FIGURE 3 shows the inventive dropper insert viewed from the right of FGURE 1; .and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the dropper insert depicted in FGURE 3.

Describing now the drawing, it will be seen that the exemplary illustrated embodiment of dropper insert device D incorporates Ia body member B possessing a substantially hollow, cylindrical body portion l, which according to the showing in FlGURE 1 can be inserted in the neck or throat 2 of a suitable container or receptacle C or otherwise. It will also be recognized that the upper end or region la of the cylindrical body portion l is open towards the outside and provided with a sealing ange 2i adapted to bear against the upper end of the neck 2 of the aforesaid receptacle C. The other end lb of the cylindrical body portion l directed towards the interior of the receptacle C is closed by a licor portion 4. This floor portion l can be flat or, `as illustrated, can be inclined towards the interior of receptacle C.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that this floor portion d possesses an elongated or substantially slitshaped opening 5 incorporating spaced lengthwise extending sides 5a and 5b. Along the one lengthwise edge 5c of EIS this slit-shaped opening 5 there is provided, at the door l, a depending substantially tongue-shaped projecting portion d having discharge channels or gutters 'l communieating with the slit-shaped opening 5. In the illustrated embodiment this projecting portion (i is integral with the floor portion l and extends towards the -inside of the receptacle C. Along an opposite lengthwise edge 5a! of this opening 5 there is also arranged at the floor portion 4 an integral, substantially upright projection Si having a discharge trough 9 which extends in a direction opposite to the projecting portion 6, in other words, is directed towards the outside and somewhat past the upper end lla of the cylindrical body portion l. rl`he latter and the receptacle C, when not used, are tightly closed with respect to the surroundings by means of a closure cap lo having an engaging portion lila which lits snugly with a complementary engaging portion 2a. provided at the upper end of the neck 2 of this receptacle C.

rThe elongated or slit-shaped opening 5 is advantageously small and long; it is at least three times as long as it is deep. It will also be seen that the floor portion d advantageously slopes downwards towards this slit-shaped opening 5.

In the event that it is desired to have the contents of the receptacle C flow out in the form of drops, then such receptacle provided with the described dropper insert D is inclined from its upright position in a manner that the lengthwise edge Sd of the lengthwise extending side 5a of the slit-shaped opening 5 remains substantially in horizontal position, i.e. substantially disposed in a horizontal plane; in other words the entire assembly of FGURE l is tilted from the position shown towards the left through an angle suiicient for liquid to discharUe, and into what may conveniently be considered the dropping or drip position of the dropper insert device. In so doing, and due to the prevailing capillary action, the opening 5 is simul tanec-usly tilled throughout its entire length and depth with liquid. This condition is brought about by virtue of the fact 'that right from the beginning there is provided a uniform dripping rhythm. The liquid initially attempts to iiow further a certain distance along the entire outer surface 8a of the projection 8, which can be advantageously raised along the lateral edges 3b and tic, however, is pressed back by the incoming air, collected in the discharge trough 9 and only guided in such to the drip-off location ila.

Dorinty the dripping operation, the entry of air into the receptacle C takes place laterally at the left or right end of the slit-like or elongated opening 5, depending upon which of these terminal ends is held somewhat higher. Entry of air directly over the discharge trough 9 is not possible due to the shallow depth ofthe opening 5. Hence, the laterally incoming air does not disturb the discharge of the liquid in the discharge trough 9. so that there results a completely regular dripping rhythm up to the last drop, irrespective whether the receptacle C is full or practically empty.

After the dripping operation, as soon as the receptacle C has again been placed into upright position, the liquid located in the cylindrical body portion ll flows quick y back into the interior of this receptacle via the slit-shaped opening 5. This return flow is accelerated due to the action of the discharge channels 7. A droplet which perhaps might tend to 'ilow along the lower side ofthe projection S is also guided about this projection to the opening 5.

Advantageously, the upper surface lll of the outwardly extending projection 3 is inclined towards the dripping location lla, can, however, also be straight or level. Furthermore, in addition to the possibility of having the surfaces 8d and tie at both sides of the discharge trough 9 somewhat inclined in the direction of this discharge trough 9, it is also possible to inwardly taper or incline the lengthwise extending bounding sides 9a and 9b of the discharge trough 9, as shown at 9a and 9b', in FlGURE 2, to

thereby form a substantially wedge-shaped discharge trough. The lengthwise edge 5d of the opening 5 bordering the projection 3 can also be formed of two appropriately inclined portions. Also the other lengthwise edge of this s. t-shaped opening d can be optionally formed, however it is advantageous it the depth of this Slitshaped openat no location exceeds two millimeters. Clogging i this slit-shaped opening is completely obviated.

e projection 8 can, however, also be completely omitted; in such case, then, the discharge trough 9 is ar ranged at a surface of a thickened portion of the cylinder body.

Also the drip location lila at the end of the projection S can possess any other desired configuration than that shown, since the remaining liquid can flow in and about the dropper rod back into the receptacle interior.

in the event that a larger Iquantity of liquid is to be quicltly removed from the receptacle C, it must only be rotated from the previously considered dripping position 3 about its longitudinal axis, so that the slit-shaped opening 5 and the s rraees Sci, 3e of the projection 8 are approximately vertical, the liquid then discharging in the torni of a stream or fluid curtain.

While there is shown and described a present preferred embodiment of thc invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope ol the following claims.

What is claimed is:

A dropper insert device for a receptacle containing a liquid to be dispensed therefrom, comprising a substantially hollow cylindrical body portion adapted to be inn serted in the neel: of the receptacle, said cylindrical body portion including a licor portion, said loor portion being provided with a substantially elongated slit-Shaped opening having spaced lengthwise extending sides and terminal ends, said elongated slit-shaped opening serving or the outteed of liquid to be dispensed at its region intermediate said terminal ends and for the infeed of air at said terminals ends, a projecting portion carried by said cylindrical body portion and situated adjacent one lengthwise extending side of said substantially slit-shaped opening, said projecting portion being provided with discharge channel means communicating with said slit-shaped opening. and at least one discharge trough communicating with said slit-shaped opening, said discharge trough being located adjacent the other lengthwise extending side and extending from said slit-shaped opening towards the outside.

2. A dropper insert device as delined in claim 1, wherein an outwardly extending projection is provided adjacent said other lengthwise extending side of said slitshaped opening, said discharge trough being provided lengthwise of said outwardly extending projection.

3. A dropper insert device as dei/ined in claim ll, wherein said slit-shaped opening is at least three times as long it is deep.

d. A dropper insert device as defined in claim 3, Wherein the depth of said slit-shaped `opening never exceeds two millimeters.

5. A dropper insert device as delined in claim l, wherein said tloor portion of said hollow cylindrical body portion is inclined towards said slit-shaped opening.

6. A dropper insert device as dened in claim 2, wherein said outwardly extending projection incorporates surface portions located at each side of said discharge trough which are inclined downwardly towards said discharge trough.

7. A dropper insert device as deiined in claim ll, wherein said discharge trough possesses lengthwise extendng sides defined by wall portions which are downwardly inclined to provide a substantially wedge-shaped discharge trough.

A droppcr insert device for a receptacle containing a liquid to be dispensed therefrom, comprising a substantially hollow cylindrical body portion adapted to be inserted in the neck of the receptacle, said hollow cylindrical body portion including a floor portion at one end yand being open towards the outside at the opposite end, said oor portion being provided `with an elongated opening having spaced, lengthwise extending sides and terminal ends, said elongated opening serving for the outteed of liquid to be dispensed at its region intermedate said ter minal ends and for the infeed of air at said terminal ends, a substantially tongue-shaped projecting portion carried by said cylindrical body portion, said susbtantially tongueshaped projecting portion being situated -adjacent one lengthwise extending side of said elongated opening and extending externally of said hollow cylindrical body portion towards the interior Iof the receptacle, said substantially tongue-shaped projecting portion being provided with discharge channel means communicating the interior of the receptacle with said elongated opening, and at least one discharge trough communicating with said elongated opening, said discharge trough being located adjacent the other lengthwise extending side and extending from said elongated opening towards the outside.

9. A dropper insert device for a receptacle containing a liquid to be dispensed therefrom, comprising a substantially hollow cylindrical body portion adapted to be inserted in the neck of the receptacle, said hollow cylindrical body portion including `a iloor portion at one end and being open towards the outside at the Iopposite end, said floor portion being provided with a substantially slit-like opening having spaced, lengthwise extending sides and terminal ends, said slit-like opening serving for the outfeed of liquid to be dispensed at its region intermediate said terminal ends and for the infeed of air in the region of said termi-rial ends, a substantially tongue-shaped projecting portion integral with said floor portion of said hollow cylindrical body portion, said substantially tongueshaped projecting portion being situated adjacent one lengthwise extending side of said substantially slit-like opening and extending externally of said hollow cylindrical body portion towards the interior of the receptacle, said substantially tongue-shaped projecting portion being provided with discharge channel means communicating the interior of the receptacle with said slit-like opening, a projection integral with said floor portion and extending through the interior of said hollow cylindrical body portion towards and somewhat past said opposite open end, said projecton being provided with at least one discharge trough communicating with said slit-like opening, said discharge trough being located adjacent the other lengthwise extending side .and extending from said slit-like opening towards the outside.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,089,874 8/1937 Bohm 222-551 X 2,132,120 10/1938 Pezachowicz et al. 222-421 2,901,151 8/1959 Kiyuna 222-456 3,139,224 6/1964 Bloom 222-478 3,143,257 8/1964 Mumford 222--547 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner. N. L. STACK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DROPPER INSERT DEVICE FOR A RECEPTACLE CONTAINING A LIQUID TO BE DISPENSED THEREFROM, COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL BODY PORTION ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED IN THE NECK OF THE RECEPTACLE, SAID CYLINDRICAL BODY PORTION INCLUDING A FLOOR PORTION, SAID FLOOR PORTION BEING PROVIDED WITH A SUBSTANTIALLY ELONGATED SLIT-SHAPED OPENING HAVING SPACED LENGTHWISE EXTENDING SIDES AND TERMINAL ENDS, SAID ELONGATED SLIT-SHAPED OPENING SERVING FOR THE OUTFEED OF LIQUID TO BE DISPENSED AT ITS REGION INTERMEDIATE SAID TERMINAL ENDS AND FOR THE INFEED OF AIR AT SAID TERMINALS ENDS, A PROJECTING PORTION CARRIED BY SAID CYLINDRICAL BODY PORTION AND SITUATED ADJACENT ONE LENGTHWISE EXTENDING SIDE OF SAID SUBSTANTIALLY SLIT-SHAPED OPENSAID PROJECTING PORTION BEING PROVIDED WITH DISCHARGE CHANNEL MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID SLIT-SHAPED OPENING, AND AT LEAST ONE DISCHARGE TROUGH COMMUNICATING WITH SAID SLIT-SHAPED OPENING, SAID DISCHARGE TROUGH BEING LOCATED ADJACENT THE OTHER LENGTHWISE EXTENDING SIDE AND EXTENDING FROM SAID SLIT-SHAPED OPENING TOWARDS THE OUTSIDE. 